'Raiders of the Lost Ark' turns 35: Exclusive behind-the-scenes photos

'Raiders of the Lost Ark' turns 35

Just before 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' opened in theaters on June 12, 1981, Daily News film critic Ernest Leogrande wrote that the movie was 'a delightfully special, big surprise package of a movie that should turn Indiana Jones into a national figure.' Thirty years later, we can safely say he was right.

'Raiders of the Lost Ark' turns 35: Exclusive behind-the-scenes photos

Lucas had no interested in directing ever again, but Spielberg was hooked. 'George knew I was interested in that sort of film,' Spielberg later told author J.W. Rinzler for the book, 'The Complete Making of Indiana Jones.' 'He knew that when he told me the story.'